Package for storing omelet ingredients

ABSTRACT

A package for separately storing ingredients for a single omelet, quiche, or egg scramble having: a top face, and a plurality of depressions each having a perimeter and each optimized for holding an ingredient for a single omelet; and a detachable top portion including an outer face and an inner face, wherein the inner face and the perimeter of each depression form an openable airtight compartment from each depression. The compartment comprises: an omelet ingredient. The compartment is vacuum-sealed during or after the inclusion of the fresh omelet ingredient. The ingredient is shelf-stable or refrigerator stable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of containers of ingredients foromelets, and, more specifically, to convenient separately openablecompartments for individual ingredients for omelets.

2. Description of Related Art

Previous U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,021 issued to Herbruck discloses an eggcarton which contain eggs as well as ingredients for egg dishes.Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,579 issued to Barnes et al. teaches acontainer for an egg as well as the ingredients for an omelet includingthe egg. U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,658 issued to Melnick teaches a dry eggmaterial and an adjunct ingredient of gross particulate food in the samepackage. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 2,952,551 issued to Long et al. discloses apackaged frozen egg product which is sliceable into numerous portions.

There is thus a need for a convenient package of fresh omeletingredients separate from any egg but capable of storing individualportions and styles of omelets.

There is thus a need for a convenient package for camping trips andother situations where airtight packaging and portability are preferred.

There is also a need for shelf stable ingredients, so the eggs may moreconveniently and inexpensively be purchased in bulk.

There is also a need for an apparatus that allows a consumer to purchasefresh and nutritional pre-sliced and pre-washed ingredients toaccommodate one or more omelets or egg dishes.

There is also a need for a package of omelet ingredients which does notrequire the consumer to sacrifice quality for convenience.

There is also a need for a package which saves the consumer from goingto different aisles in a store to obtain fresh and crispy omeletingredients.

There is also a need for a package which allows a consumer to inspectpre-cut omelet ingredients before purchasing to confirm that the qualityis comparable to the ideal, such as a fresh uncut vegetable.

There is also a need for a package that is extremely convenient for theconsumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an option to a consumerwhich is less expensive than the purchase of bulk vegetables orfull-size items like peppers, tomatoes or cheese.

It is another object of the invention to provide a package that saves aconsumer time in the kitchen cutting, chopping, packing and unpackingvegetables to make one or more omelets. Furthermore, it is an object tosave the consumer time in going to the refrigerator, pulling all thedesired ingredients, unwrapping the ingredients from store packaging,wash the ingredients cut them, rewrap them and then replace them in therefrigerator.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a simple and easysolution in deciding which type of omelet a consumer may want, andpreventing the situation where an ingredient may be mistakenly omitted.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a solution forthe situation where one ingredient in a several ingredient omelet ismissing from a pantry, thereby necessitating a wasteful trip to thegrocery store.

It is yet still another object of the invention to provide a broadselection of traditional and modern styles of egg dishes available whilemaking unnecessary to take a separate trip to the vegetable aisle.

It is still another object of the invention to provide multiple servingsin a single package so a consumer may make a double or triple sizeomelet or to make several of the same type of omelet.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a convenientpackaging for fresh omelet ingredients useful for camping and othersimilar activities.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparenthereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particularreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of the package of the invention having apull tab.

FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the bottom portion of the package of theinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a side elevational view of the package of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 show a side elevational cutaway view of an alternative embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of another alternative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 7 shows a side elevational cutaway view of another alternativeembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a top plan view of yet another alternative embodiment ofthe invention for camping.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is described herein is shown in the FIGS. 1 through 8 anddescribed generally as the package at 10. The invention is a package 10for separately storing ingredients for a single omelet. The term omeletin this description includes egg scrambles, quiches, frittatas, andsimilar egg dishes. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the package 10 includes abottom portion 12 having a top face 14 and a plurality of depressions 16each having a perimeter 18 and each optimized for holding an ingredient20 for a single omelet. A detachable top portion 22 includes an outerface 24 and an inner face 26, wherein the inner face 26 and theperimeter 18 of each depression 16 form an openable airtight compartment28. The top portion 22 may be peelably detached from the lower portion.However, equivalent means for attachment and detachment as are known inthe art are contemplated.

Each compartment preferably includes a separate omelet ingredient 20,such as one from the list of diced peppers, diced onion, diced tomato,sausage, ham and grated cheese. However this listing does not limit theingredients in anyway. While in the preferred embodiment each ingredienthas it's own compartment 28, several ingredients may be placed in asingle compartment 28. Also, each compartment preferably has a separateingredient for a multi-ingredient omelet. It may also be preferred tohave a double portion of the ingredient or ingredients in eachcompartment 28, so that large omelets or multiple omelets of the sameingredient may be cooked.

It is also preferred that the compartment 28 is vacuum-sealed during orafter the inclusion of the omelet ingredient 20 in the compartment. Itis preferred that the ingredient 20 is pre-washed and pre-cut.Preferably, the bottom portion, or at least the depressions in thebottom portion 14, is made of a flexible plastic which shrinks orotherwise moves inward during the vacuum sealing process. Vacuum sealingreduces the amount of space taken by the package and reduces the amountof air which contacts the ingredients, thereby keeping the ingredientsfresh for a longer period of time. In addition, it is also preferredthat the bottom portion 14, and especially the depression 16, isgenerally see-through.

It is also preferred that the ingredients are shelf stable. However, oneor more of the ingredients 20 may be refrigerator stable. In analterative embodiment, the ingredients 20 may be freezable so that thepackage 10 may be frozen.

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, one or more compartments has aperforated edge 32. Thus, an individual ingredient 20 may be used whilekeeping the integrity of the rest of the package. Depending upon theconfiguration of the package 10, it may be preferred that one or morecompartments is surrounded by perforations 32.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the top portion 22 convenientlymay be removed from the top face 14 of the bottom portion 12, therebyrevealing the ingredients in each compartment 28. In addition, a thinprintable sheet 34 made of paper, Mylar, plastic or an equivalentmaterial known in the art having labeling, instructions and/or a recipemay be located between the top portion 22 and the bottom portion 14.Alternatively, or in addition, the labeling and recipes may be locatedon the surface of the top portion or the bottom portion. Also, thelabeling and recipes may be on a container around one or more of thepackages. It may also be preferred that the top portion and the bottomportion are connected by heat sealing. The top portion 22 is heat sealedto the top face 14 of the bottom portion 12.

The sheet 34 would be inserted between the top portion and the bottomportion before the heat sealing process.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the compartments 28may be sealed and openable by a peel off strip 36. The strip 36 is aconvenient and easy way to open the package 10. Also, when the package10 is opened with the strip 36, any or all of the compartments 28 may beopened to obtain the ingredient 20 therein. Afterwards, the package maybe re-closed so that any remaining ingredients stay fresh.

In still another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the package 10 isoptimized for camping. One or more eggs 40 are placed in each depression18, thereby adding to the convenience for the invention. In thisembodiment it is preferred that the egg is specially protected, forexample, an air pocket or styrofoam case surrounds the egg. Thus, theentire meal is ready for cooking and located in an easily portablecontainer. Furthermore, the container is spill proof and hygienic, sinceneither air, dust nor water can enter the package, especially in thevacuum sealed configuration.

It may also be preferred that a package 10 includes three or moreseparate, different ingredients 20 for omelets. Also, three or morepackages 10 may be placed in a single box or container so that aconsumer may obtain a large variety of ingredients at one time.

It may also be preferred that each compartment 28 includes a multipleportion of an ingredient for an omelet. In addition, the package may befreezable so that it may include ingredients that may be frozen withouta loss of quality in the ingredient.

It is an alternative “multi-pack” version, the package 11 includes 10 or12 compartments each having a different ingredient so the consumer canchose ingredients in accordance with his or her individual tastes. Oneor more omelets may be made from the other unused ingredients. In thisembodiment, it is preferred that the package is resealable.

In another embodiment, one or more of the ingredients is organic.

Thus, utilizing the structural elements described above, or theequivalents known in the art, the invention is shown to be an omeletingredient container, comprising means for holding one or moreindividual omelet ingredients in a compartment; and means for openablysealing the omelet ingredient within the compartment.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what isconsidered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It isrecognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within thescope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to aperson skilled in the art.

1. A package for separately storing ingredients for a single omelet,comprising: a bottom portion having: a top face, and a plurality ofdepressions each having a perimeter and each optimized for holding aningredient for a single omelet; and a detachable top portion includingan outer face and an inner face, wherein the inner face and theperimeter of each depression form an openable airtight compartment fromeach depression.
 2. The package of claim 1, wherein the compartmentcomprises: an omelet ingredient.
 3. The package of claim 2, wherein thecompartment is vacuum-sealed during or after the inclusion of the omeletingredient.
 4. The package of claim 1, wherein the depression isgenerally see-through.
 5. The package of claim 3, wherein the ingredientis shelf stable.
 6. The package of claim 3, wherein the ingredient isrefrigerator shelf stable.
 7. The package of claim 1, wherein at leastone compartment has a perforated edge.
 8. The package of claim 1,wherein a recipe is located on the top portion.
 9. The package of claim1, wherein the package includes a separate compartment for eachdifferent ingredients for omelets.
 10. The package of claim 2, whereineach compartment includes a multiple portion of an ingredient for anomelet.
 11. The package of claim 1, wherein the package may be frozenwithout a loss of quality in the ingredient.
 12. The package of claim 1,wherein the top portion is heat sealed to the top face of the bottomportion.
 13. The package of claim 1, wherein the top portion is peelablefrom the top face of the bottom portion.
 14. The package of claim 1,wherein the package further comprises a peelable strip so that thepackage is reclosable.
 15. The package of claim 14, wherein one or moreingredients in a compartment are shelf stable.
 16. The package of claim14, wherein one or more ingredients in a compartment are refrigeratorstable.
 17. The package of claim 12, further comprising a thin printablesheet having a recipe located between the top portion and the bottomportion before heat-sealing.
 18. The package of claim 1, wherein eachingredient is fresh.
 19. An omelet ingredient container, comprising:means for holding one or more individual omelet ingredients in acompartment; and means for openably sealing the omelet ingredient withinthe compartment.